Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Minister of Defense Zukan Helez met today in Sarajevo with the head of the European Union Delegation and the EU’s special representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Luigi Soreca.
Helez sent his congratulations on the appointment of the new head of the Delegation of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina and highlighted key activities, with special emphasis on cooperation with the European Union and the EU integration process.
Soreca thanked for the organization of the meeting and confirmed the unshakable commitment of the European Union for Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue on the path of integration.
He praised the efforts to preserve the multi-ethnic composition of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and to protect the integrity and sovereignty of the state. He also emphasized the importance of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s participation in peace support missions, highlighting their positive impact on the international community
Helez referred to the security situation in Europe, especially due to Russian aggression against Ukraine, and the challenges of migration, considering that Bosnia and Herzegovina is a transit route for migrants to the European Union. He emphasized efforts to maintain control over the situation in cooperation with international organizations.
He emphasized his commitment, since the beginning of his mandate as Minister of Defense and Vice-Chairman of the Council of Ministers, to achieving the strategic goals of Bosnia and Herzegovina – membership in NATO and the European Union. He pointed to excellent cooperation with NATO through planning activities and joint exercises, despite the current suspension of delivery of the “Reform Program” to Brussels for 2023.
Helez placed special emphasis on the mission of Althea and EUFOR, which continue to play a key role in preserving the stability of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He also noted the active participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in international missions of the European Union, such as the EU training mission in the Central African Republic, and expressed gratitude for the support of the European Peace Fund, which significantly contributed to the strengthening of capacities for demining and tactical support.
“It is important that, as a European country, we work to strengthen institutions, fight against corruption and improve the rule of law, in order to reduce the trend of young and educated people leaving,” Helez concluded, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
